Interested in blogging for timesofindia.com? We will be happy to have you on board as a blogger, if you have the knack for writing. Just drop in a mail at toiblogs@timesinternet.in with a brief bio and we will get in touch with you.

Lynching cannot be condoned anywhere, anytime

I am ashamed to say that goons in India are taking the law into their own hands and lynching people because they think they are consuming beef or as in the case of a police officer in the Valley. This is India’s shame. We cannot be considered in the polity of civilized nations if such acts of despicable violence continue. I urge the BJP to come down strongly on the perpetrators by making the punishment swift and severe. As in rape, there must be stringent laws that fast track such cases and put away the offenders for a long time.

PM Modi has come out strongly against such violence but words have to be followed by action and BJP Chief Ministers and the cadre have to be told that such acts will not be condoned in any state, anywhere in India. No one should be allowed to murder with impunity.

To think that certain communities such as the Muslims, Dalits and security forces are especially targeted is frightening and bodes ill for India. I am against bans in the first place and wrote about the downsides including the fact that in a country where millions are poor and undernourished why should any ban even be considered. If we think the cow should be protected then why are they left to wander around, eating garbage and plastics and dying miserable deaths? Are we not hypocritical.

Surely, India has several more critical issues to contend with like getting rid of filth; good education; basic healthcare and jobs just to mention a few. Surely human life is more important than animal welfare. We have been taught that our religion instills in us tolerance and love for all. Murdering people for their profession or tastes shows a lack of both. What kind of message does this send out to the world? Does it not detract from the very essence of what our sacred texts teach us about respect, dignity and dharma-that we can worship as we please and that every human being has a God Particle in them. We need no rituals or prayers to reach out to God, just good deeds, truthfulness and love for our fellow beings.

Yes, we worship nature and animals yet our rivers are polluted, our cities are overflowing with garbage; air pollution is killing our young and our animal species are dying at an alarming rate. Does our religion really demand that we make images of Gods and Goddesses and after their worship we must literally dump them in fecund canals that pass as rivers. Why is this necessary and why do we condone it? Surely these are just rituals invented by priests whose very existence is at stake if they were to discard rituals and superstitions.

I want the youth of India to seek a Brave New World, where we can hold up our heads with pride for our accomplishment. “Where the mind is without fear,” as Tagore, famously wrote and “the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit.” These words were true a hundred years ago and guided me throughout my life. Tagore was reaching out for the reason and questioning that our ancient scriptures taught, when we had lost our way under centuries of foreign domination. In our 70th year of freedom it is time we woke up to our rich heritage.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .